Multipurpose handheld electronic computer

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose handheld electronic computer of the type comprising, in a same box-like body, a keyboard, a display, a CPU, a work memory, a mass storage device, and optional other components such as an acoustic warning device, a clock-calendar, and a communications interface. The computer comprises a printer for printing fanfold and/or single forms in one or more copies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multipurpose handheld electroniccomputer.

New-generation portable electronic computers which include a largenumber of functions in a single apparatus whose size and weight are sosmall that it can be used on the palm of a hand are already known.

These portable computers generally comprise, in the same body, akeyboard, a display, a CPU, a work memory, a mass storage device, andoptionally a clock/calendar, an acoustic warning device, and acommunications interface.

In various configurations it is possible to provide a printer forprinting on paper rolls.

The use of this type of printer leads to a series of operationallimitations and drawbacks, the main one being due to the fact that,after printing, the paper from the roll remains curled or indeed rollsup due to a "memory" effect.

Furthermore, a blackening effect occurs, due to compression, for rollsof chemical or impact paper on their innermost layers when multiplecopies are used; this effect consequently worsens printout legibility.

Printing from a roll furthermore does not allow to obtain fiscal orincremental numbering on multiple copies in a way that maintainsalignment between the original and the copies from the beginning of theroll to its end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal aim of the present invention is therefore to provide amultipurpose handheld electronic computer that eliminates the drawbacksand limitations described above in known types.

A consequent primary object is to provide users with a handheldelectronic computer that is particularly handy and versatile.

Another object is to provide an ergonomic electronic computer that canbe used just with the very hand on the palm whereof it rests for use.

Another object is to provide an electronic computer to which optionalmodules can be connected.

This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparenthereinafter are achieved by a multipurpose handheld electronic computerof the type which comprises, in a same box-like body, a keyboard, adisplay, a CPU, a work memory, a mass storage device, and optional othercomponents such as an acoustic warning device, a clock-calendar, and acommunications interface, characterized in that it has a printer forprinting fanfold and/or single forms in one or more copies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of an embodimentthereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the computer;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the computer;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the computer;

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the computer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the above figures, an electronic computer according tothe invention comprises, in a same elongated flat box-like body 10, madeof dust-proof and rain-proof impact-resistant plastic material andcomposed of two half-shells 11 and 12 joined by screws 13, an electronicmotherboard 14 with a CPU, a work memory, and a mass storage device, towhich a display 15 and a keyboard 16 are connected.

It is possible to provide for other components, not shown, such as anacoustic warning device, a clock-calendar, and a communicationsinterface.

According to the invention, in this embodiment said box-like body 10also accommodates a printer 17 for printing on fanfold forms 18.

A lower storage compartment 19 is provided for said forms and can beaccessed from an upper loading door 19a.

Said compartment 19 is protected against rain.

As regards the arrangement, with reference to the ergonomics of theunit, the display 15 is arranged in the lower part, the keyboard 16 islocated in the median region, and the slit 20 for the exit of the paperof the form 18 is located in the upper part of the body 10.

Of course, in other embodiments the layout of the keyboard and/or of thedisplay may be altered and customized, and the computer may beconfigured for printing on a single form (original and copies).

The ends of a bridge-like strap 21 are fixed laterally in order to makeit easier to grip the body 10; the hand is inserted through said strap,which allows easy use of the keyboard 16 with the thumb of the samehand.

The unit is completed in its upper region by a magnetic card reader 22,which is located between the printer 17 and the keyboard 16, and by alaser scanner 23 which is located, together with a speaker 24, below thecompartment 19 for the form 18.

The computer is independently powered by a detachable rechargeablebattery pack 25.

An out-of-paper and form alignment sensor 26 is provided, and it ispossible to add optional modules that can be combined in differentmanners as an alternative, and/or in addition, to those alreadydescribed.

Said optional modules can be:

a CCD reader for reading bar codes by contact;

a radio-link module;

a modem connection module;

a speech-synthesizing module for voice communications;

a contactless-card interface;

a PCMCIA interface.

These modules can be either integrated in the body 10 or appliedthereto.

The adoption of a fanfold printer, with the forms accommodated in asuitable compartment, allows to have a handheld electronic computer thatcan produce printouts on single-copy or multiple-copy paper on blank orpreprinted forms so as to maintain, in the latter case, perfectalignment between the base (original) form and the copies.

Fiscal or incremental numbering of the forms is also possible even onmultiple copies (form alignment).

The fact of using fanfold forms allows to produce bills and/or receiptsthat are substantially flat, eliminating the unpleasant curling thatoccurs in case of roll-fed paper.

In the case of chemical or impact paper, the blackening due in rolls tothe compression of the innermost layers when using multiple copies isalso eliminated.

Accordingly, there is an improvement in the quality and legibility ofthe printed copies.

The particular shape of the box-like body 10 and the arrangement of thedisplay 15, of the keyboard 16, and of the printer 17, in addition tothe presence of the lateral strap 21, makes the computer particularlyergonomic and allows to use it with a single hand.

Size and weight are conveniently modest.

In practice it has been observed that the intended aim and objects ofthe present invention have been achieved.

In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible withthe contingent use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according tothe requirements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multipurpose handheld electronic computercomprising, in a same box-like body (10), a keyboard (16), a display(15), a CPU (14), a work memory (14), a mass storage device (14), acommunication port, single power supply means (25), a printer (17)accommodated in an openable compartment (19) of said body (10) and a barcode reader (23), said printer (17) and bar code reader (23) being bothpowered by said single power supply means (25), said printer printing onfanfold forms of single-copy or multi-copy paper, said fanfold forms ofpaper being housed into said box-like body, an out-of-paper andform-alignment sensor (26) being associated with said printer (17), saidsensor (26) allowing said printer to print said fanfold forms onmulti-copy paper, pre-printed on the original and every attached copy.2. A handheld computer according to claim 1, further comprising amagnetic card reader (22) arranged within said body (10).
 3. A handheldcomputer according to claim 1, wherein said bar code reader (23) is alaser scanner for distance reading of bar codes.
 4. A handheld computeraccording to claim 1, wherein said single power supply means (25)comprises a single rechargeable and detachable battery pack (25)accommodated in said body (10), said single battery pack powering bothsaid printer and said bar code reader.
 5. A handheld computer accordingto claim 1, further comprising within said body (10) a radio-linkmodule, a modem connection module, a speech-syntesizing module for voicecommunications, a contactless card interface, and a PCMCIA interface. 6.A handheld computer according to claim 1, wherein said box-like body(10) is made of dust-proof and rain-proof material.
 7. A computeraccording to claim 1, wherein said bar code reader (23) is a CCD readerenclosed in said box-like body.
 8. A computer according to claim 1,wherein said body (10) is flat and elongated and has, on its uppersurface, said display (15) in a lower region, said keyboard (16) in amedian region, and said printer (17) in an upper region, a bridge-likestrap (21) being fixed laterally to said body (10), thesupporting/working hand of the user being insertable in said strap (21),said computer being operable with only one hand.